Breakaway bracket

ABSTRACT

A breakaway bracket assembly ( 10 ) for connecting two structural members, such as a sign post ( 12 ) and a base ( 14 ). The bracket ( 10 ) has a first end strap ( 20 ) configured for attachment to the post ( 12 ) and a second end strap ( 22 ) configured for attachment to the base ( 14 ). The first and second end straps ( 20, 22 ) are integrally formed with a central section ( 24 ) that comprises a pair of flanges ( 28, 30 ) having a pre-formed brake point ( 34 ) that will fail when the first and second end straps ( 20, 22 ) are subjected to a predetermined load.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention pertains to bracket assemblies for mountingand supporting signposts, luminaries, and power poles, and, moreparticularly, to breakaway bracket assemblies having a pre-formed stresspoint that is readily broken when subjected to a predetermined load andis easily replaceable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Existing highway signs, fences, luminaries, and guardrailsfrequently utilize a two-part support post. Such posts typically includea stub post anchored in the ground with one end projecting severalinches above the ground to form a base for attachment of the signpost orlight pole. A mounting flange is formed on or attached to the projectingend of the stub post. The signpost or light pole has a correspondingflange that is then bolted to the stub post flange.

[0003] Numerous systems have been proposed for providing a rigidmounting assembly that can resist wind loads and light impacts while atthe same time failing at a predetermined load, such as from a vehicleimpact, to minimize damage to the support post and the vehicle, and toreduce injuries. The present invention represents an improvement overthese systems. The applicant's prior invention of a breakaway connector,which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,319, is utilized in thepresent invention, as is described more fully herein below.

[0004] The need for the present invention arises from improved designsas well as federal and state requirements regarding the installation ofsignposts, luminaries, guardrails, power poles, and the like. Thus, thepresent invention is not only an improvement over existing and priordevices, but it also meets all current and pending federal and staterequirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to a mounting system using abreakaway bracket assembly for connecting two or more structuralmembers. In one embodiment, the breakaway bracket assembly comprises afirst end-strap configured for attachment to the first structuralmember; a second end-strap configured for attachment to the secondstructural member; and a central member connecting the first and secondend-straps together, the central member including a pre-formed stresspoint such that the bracket assembly will break at the pre-formed stresspoint when subjected to a predetermined load.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, thecentral member is integrally formed with the first and secondend-straps.

[0007] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, oneor more of the end-straps include flanges formed thereon for positioningagainst a structural member.

[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention,the preformed stress point of the central member comprises at least oneflange extending in at least one direction from the central member, anda pre-formed breakpoint positioned adjacent to the at least one flange.Ideally, two flanges are formed, one on each side of the pre-formedstress point such that one flange is positioned against a firststructural member and the other flange is positioned against a secondstructural member.

[0009] In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention,the preformed stress point comprises a cross-sectional area of reducedmaterial that is formed from side walls that slope from the flangestoward the pre-formed stress point.

[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, abreakaway bracket assembly for holding a post to a base is provided. Theassembly comprises a first bracket member having one or more flanges forattaching the first bracket member to the base; a second bracket memberhaving one or more flanges for attaching the second bracket member to apost; a plurality of legs on either of the first and second bracketmembers for stabilizing and supporting the second bracket member on topof the first bracket member; and a breakaway connector for positioningbetween and attaching to the first bracket member and the second bracketmember thereby connecting the second bracket member to the first bracketmember, the breakaway connector further having a pre-formed stress pointthat features when subjected to a predetermined load, enablingseparation of the second bracket member from the first bracket member.

[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of this embodiment of thepresent invention, the first bracket member is sized and shaped forslidable engagement with the base. The second bracket member is sizedand shaped for slidable engagement with the post.

[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention,the legs are spaced apart to be positioned around the outside of thebreakaway connector.

[0013] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, amounting system is provided comprising a post and a base; a firstbracket member having one or more flanges for attachment to the base; asecond bracket member having one or more flanges for attachment to thepost; a plurality of legs that stabilize and support the second bracketmember on top of the first bracket member; and a breakaway connectorpositioned between and connected to the second bracket member and thefirst bracket member, the breakaway connector having a pre-formed stresspoint that enables separation of the second bracket member from thefirst bracket member when subjected to a pre-determined load.

[0014] As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, the presentinvention provides a breakaway bracket assembly and mounting system thatis easily adaptable to existing signposts, luminaries, power poles,guardrails, and the like. The assembly provides a single breakpoint yetprovides stability and high strength. In one embodiment, the singlebreakpoint is provided as an integrally-formed connection between thetwo mounting flanges. In another embodiment, the single breakpoint isprovided in a single fastener attached to the bracket members that arestabilized by means of one or more legs. The first or lower bracketmember can be configured for mounting to any style of base. Rerouting ofelectrical wires is not required, thus, the present inventionfacilitates easy installation and reinstallation while providing a rigidand stable mounting platform that resists normal loads and breaks undera higher load, such as a vehicle impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood from the accompanied detailed description when taken inconjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is an isometric projection of a first embodiment of abreakaway bracket assembly formed in accordance with the presentinvention for connecting two structural members;

[0017]FIG. 2 is cross-sectional configuration of the breakaway bracketassembly of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an isometric projection of an extruded piece formanufacturing the breakaway bracket of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIGS. 4A-4C are side views of alternative cross-sectionalconfigurations of the breakaway bracket formed in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the breakaway bracket of FIG. 4Cconnecting two structural members;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a front plan view of an alternative embodiment of abreakaway bracket assembly formed in accordance with the presentinvention for connecting two structural members;

[0022]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the breakaway bracket assembly ofFIG. 6 in assembled configuration;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the assembled breakaway bracketassembly of FIG. 7;

[0024]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the breakaway bracket assembly ofFIG. 7 in conjunction with a base and post structural members;

[0025]FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an assembled breakaway bracketassembly having a cylindrical configuration formed in accordance withthe present invention;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical breakawaybracket assembly of FIG. 10;

[0027]FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the cylindrical breakaway bracketassembly of FIG. 10 in conjunction with a cylindrical base andcylindrical post structural members;

[0028]FIG. 13 is an isometric projection of an alternative embodiment ofan assembled breakaway bracket assembly formed in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the assembled breakaway bracketassembly of FIG. 13 positioned over a base structural member; and

[0030]FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the breakaway bracket assembly ofFIG. 13 in conjunction with a base and post structural members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Referring initially to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is a firstembodiment of the present invention comprising first and secondbreakaway brackets 10 connecting two structural members, a post 12 and abase 14. The post 12 and base 14 may be formed from wood, plastic,metal, or composite material as needed for the particular application.In most applications, the base 14 is anchored in the ground. Fourfasteners 16 hold the breakaway brackets 10 to the structural members12, 14. In this case, the fasteners comprise bolts 16 held in positionby nuts 18, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0032]FIG. 2 shows in greater detail the cross sectional configurationof the breakaway brackets 10 and their mounting to the post 12 and base14. The breakaway bracket 10 has a first end strap 20 configured forattachment to the post member 12 and a second end strap 22 configuredfor attachment to the base member 14. The first and second end straps20, 22 have a planar shape and project outward in opposing directionsfrom a central section 24. Ideally, the central section 24 is integrallyformed with the first end strap 20 and second end strap 22. Openings 26are formed in each of the end straps 20, 22 to accommodate the bolts 16.In this embodiment, each strap member 20, 22 has two openings formed inspaced horizontal relationship.

[0033] The central section 24 on each breakaway bracket 10 functions asa preformed stress point, comprised of a pair of flanges 28, 30 thatextend outward from the central section 24 with sidewalls 32 that slopeinwardly to a preformed breakpoint 34. As shown in FIG. 2, thepre-formed break point 34 comprises a cross-sectional area of reducedmaterial that will fail when the first and second end straps 20, 22 aresubjected to a predetermined load.

[0034] The post 12 and base 14 bear against the exposed faces 36, 38 onthe top and bottom flanges 28, 30, respectively.

[0035] FIGS. 4A-4C show alternative embodiments of the breakaway bracket10 formed in accordance with the present invention. For the sake ofconvenience, the numbering of common elements from FIGS. 1 and 2 will beused in FIGS. 4A-4C.

[0036]FIG. 4A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the breakawaybracket 10 wherein the flanges 28, 30 terminate in a side face 40instead of a point as shown in FIG. 2. Under certain loads thetermination of the flanges 28, 30 with a side face 40 will providegreater strength and prevent premature failure of the flanges 28, 30.

[0037]FIG. 4B illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of thebreakaway bracket 10 wherein the flanges 28, 30 extend outwardly fromthe central section 24 in opposing directions. In addition, theembodiment of FIG. 4B as first and second legs 42, 44 projecting atsubstantially a 90° angle from the ends of the first and second endstraps 20, 22. These legs 42, 44 have exposed faces 46 for positioningagainst the post 12 and base 14. Although openings to facilitate the useof fasteners are not shown in these embodiments, it is to be understoodthat such will be incorporated as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0038]FIG. 5 illustrates the installation of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 4B in connection with a post 12 and base 14. In this case, studs 48projecting from the post 12 and base 14 are inserted through openings(not shown) in the first and second legs 42, 44, and are secured thereonwith nuts 50.

[0039]FIG. 3 illustrates a plate 52 used in one method for forming thebreakaway bracket 10 described above. The plate 52 has first and secondend strap portions 20, 22 formed on both sides of the central section24. Ideally, the plate 52 is formed by an extrusion process, althoughother methods may be used as will be known to those skilled in the art.The bracket to be formed from the plate 52 can be dimensioned and cutfrom the plate 52 to the size required for the application.

[0040] An alternative embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 6-9. As shown therein, a breakawaybracket assembly 54 is used in conjunction with a post 56 and base 58.The base 58, as shown in FIG. 9, is anchored to a structural member, inthis case concrete 60. Both the post 56 and the base 58 are ofrectangular tubular metal construction with a hollow longitudinal boreand opening 62 formed therein to accommodate fasteners.

[0041] The bracket assembly 54, comprises a first bracket member 64configured for attachment to the base 58 and a second bracket member 66configured for attachment to the post 56. A breakaway connector 68 ispositioned between and connects the first bracket member 64 to thesecond bracket member 66. A plurality of legs 70 support and stabilizethe second bracket member 66 on the first bracket member 64.

[0042] The first bracket member 64 and the second bracket member 66 arecomprised of a cross member 72, 74, respectively. A pair of legs 76depends from the first cross member at substantially a right angle to bein space parallel relationship with each other. Similarly, the secondbracket member has a pair of legs 78 that depend at substantially aright angle from the second cross member 74 to be in space parallelrelationship with each other. In this embodiment, the legs 70 projectdownward from the second bracket member 66 to bear against the crossmember 72 of the first bracket member 64. However, it is to beunderstood that legs could be formed on the top face of the cross member72 to project upward and bear against the cross member 74 of the secondbracket member 66. As shown in FIG. 8, the first bracket member 64 islarger than the second bracket member 66 to provide a stable mountingplatform. However, both brackets 64, 66 can be of the same size ifrequired.

[0043] The breakaway connector 68 used to attach the first and secondbracket members 64, 66 together is described in greater detail inapplicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,319, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. Briefly, the connector 68 has a breakawayshank 80 with a threaded first end 82 and a second threaded end 84projecting therefrom. Nuts 86 are threaded on to the connector 68. Theshank has laterally projecting and circumscribing flanges 88 that arepositioned to bear against the first and second bracket members 64, 66,as shown. Openings 90 in the legs 76, 78, accommodate fasteners 92 thatare secured and placed with nuts 94. Similarly, openings 96 in the crossmembers 72, 74, accommodate the threaded first and second ends 82, 84 ofthe breakaway connector 68.

[0044] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the bracket members 64, 66, are replaced by abreakaway support assembly 98 comprising a first cylindrical supportmember 100 and second cylindrical support member 102. The supportmembers 100, 102 are sized and shaped to be slidably engaged with acylindrical base 104, and cylindrical post 106, respectively.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first cylindrical support member 100 hasa cylindrical wall 108 that circumscribes a longitudinal axle bore 110as shown in FIG. 1, one end of the bore 110 is closed off with a bottomwall 112. Legs 114 project from the side wall 108, and are preferablyintegrally formed therewith.

[0046] Similarly, the second cylindrical support member 102 has acylindrical side wall 116 that circumscribes an axle bore 118 that isclosed off at one end by a top wall 120, as shown in FIG. 11. Openings122 formed in the base 104, the post 106, the side walls 108, 116, andthe top and bottom walls 112, 120 accommodate the fasteners 124.

[0047] A breakaway connector 68 as described above in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 6-9, is used to connect the first and second supportmembers 100, 102. While this embodiment differs in its configurationfrom the prior embodiment, it functions essentially the same in allrespects.

[0048] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has beenillustrated and described, it is to be understood that various changesmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For instance, the configuration and size of the breakawaybracket assembly 54 can be modified to accommodate differentconfigurations of posts and bases. For instance, FIGS. 13-14 illustratea modified version of the breakaway bracket assembly 54 for use inconjunction with an angle iron style base 126 and post 128. Thebreakaway bracket assembly 54 shown herein differs from the embodimentof FIGS. 6-9 in its size and shape. In all other respects, thisembodiment is identical and functions the same as the breakaway bracketassembly 54 described above. Hence, the reference numbers are used withthis embodiment.

[0049] Consequently, the scope of the invention is to be limited only bythe appended claims that follow.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A breakaway bracketassembly for connecting two or more structural members, comprising afirst end-strap configured for attachment to the first structuralmember; a second end-strap configured for attachment to the secondstructural member; and a central element for connecting the first andsecond end-straps together, said central element including a pre-formedstress point configured to break when subjected to a predetermined load.2. The breakaway bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein said centralmember is integrally formed with said first and second end-straps. 3.The breakaway bracket assembly of claim 2 , wherein at least one of saidfirst and said second end-straps includes a flange formed thereon forattachment to either of the first or second structural members.
 4. Thebreakaway bracket assembly of claim 3 , wherein said pre-formed stresspoint comprises at least one flange extending in at least one directionoutward from said central element and a pre-formed breakpoint positionedadjacent said at least one flange.
 5. The breakaway bracket assembly ofclaim 4 , wherein said pre-formed stress point comprises two flangesextending in at least one direction from said central element with saidpre-formed breakpoint centrally disposed between said flanges.
 6. Thebreakaway bracket assembly of claim 5 , wherein said pre-formedbreakpoint comprises a reduced cross-sectional area formed fromsidewalls that slope inward from said flanges toward said pre-formedbreakpoint.
 7. A breakaway bracket assembly for holding a post to abase, comprising: a first bracket member having one or more flanges forattaching said first bracket member to the base; a second bracket memberhaving one or more flanges for attaching said second bracket member to apost; a plurality of legs on either of said first bracket member andsaid second bracket member for stabilizing and supporting said secondbracket member on top of said first bracket member; and a breakawayconnector for positioning between said first bracket member and saidsecond bracket member and attaching said first bracket member to saidsecond bracket member, said breakaway connector having a pre-formedstress point that will fracture when subjected to a predetermined loadsuch that said second bracket member will separate from said firstbracket member.
 8. The breakaway bracket assembly of claim 7 , whereinsaid first bracket member is sized and shaped to be slidably engagedwith the base.
 9. The breakaway bracket assembly of claim 7 , whereinsaid second bracket member is sized and shaped to be slidably receivedover the post.
 10. The breakaway bracket assembly of claim 7 , whereinsaid one or more legs are positioned a spaced-apart distance around saidbreakaway connector.
 11. A mounting system comprising: a post forsupporting objects; a base anchored to a structural member; a firstbracket member having one or more flanges for attachment to said base; asecond bracket member having one or more flanges for attachment to saidpost, said second bracket member having a plurality of legs thatstabilize and support said second bracket member on top of said firstbracket member; and a breakaway connector positioned between andconnecting together said first bracket member and said second bracketmember, said breakaway connector having a preformed stress point thatwill break when subjected to a predetermined load such that said secondbracket member will separate from said first bracket member.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11 , wherein said first bracket member is sized andshaped to be slidably engaged with said base.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein said second bracket member is sized and shaped to be slidablyengaged with said post.
 14. The system of claim 1 , wherein said legsare spaced apart and positioned around said breakaway connector.